2025 Fantasy Football Rookie Wide Receiver Rankings: Travis Hunter Ranks Second

Fantasy managers looking for the next Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase or CeeDee Lamb in this year’s rookie class will likely be disappointed. While there’s talent at the position, I’m hard-pressed to find many true alpha receivers at the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Tetairoa McMillan could certainly become a true No. 1 wideout in Carolina, but he has a lot of competition (Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, Adam Thielen) on the roster in Year 1. It’s hard not to love Travis Hunter’s talent as a receiver, but Brian Thomas Jr. is the top option in the Jacksonville pass attack. We’re also still unsure if he will see enough snaps at wideout to be a consistent fantasy asset. Other wideouts like Matthew Golden and Luther Burden III have explosive play making skills but could be capped because of crowded receiver rooms.
Emeka Egbuka’s selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was curious to be certain, as the team already has an established slot receiver in veteran Chris Godwin. I’m a fan of Jayden Higgins, especially in Year 1, but his fantasy stock could slide in the future when Tank Dell returns in 2026.
As you can tell, many of these receiver outlooks are clouded at this point.
With that said, here’s my initial look at my top 20 fantasy wide receivers for dynasty drafts.
2025 Fantasy Football Rookie Wide Receiver Rankings
Note: Ages listed as how old the player will be by the end of September.
Rk | Player | Pos | Team | Bye | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tetairoa McMillan | WR | CAR | 14 | 22 |
2 | Travis Hunter | WR | JAC | 8 | 22 |
3 | Emeka Egbuka | WR | TB | 9 | 22 |
4 | Matthew Golden | WR | GB | 5 | 22 |
5 | Jayden Higgins | WR | HOU | 6 | 22 |
6 | Tre Harris | WR | LAC | 12 | 23 |
7 | Luther Burden III | WR | CHI | 5 | 21 |
8 | Jack Bech | WR | LV | 8 | 22 |
9 | Kyle Williams | WR | NE | 14 | 22 |
10 | Jalen Royals | WR | KC | 10 | 22 |
11 | Pat Bryant | WR | DEN | 12 | 22 |
12 | Dont'e Thornton | WR | LV | 8 | 22 |
13 | Jaylin Noel | WR | HOU | 6 | 23 |
14 | Tory Horton | WR | SEA | 8 | 22 |
15 | Elic Ayomanor | WR | TEN | 10 | 22 |
16 | Tai Felton | WR | MIN | 6 | 22 |
17 | Chimere Dike | WR | TEN | 10 | 23 |
18 | Savion Williams | WR | GB | 5 | 23 |
19 | Isaac TeSlaa | WR | DET | 8 | 23 |
20 | Tez Johnson | WR | TB | 9 | 23 |

Michael Fabiano is a fantasy football analyst for Sports Illustrated. His weekly rankings and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em articles are must-reads for fantasy players. He is also the co-host of the Fantasy Dirt Podcast on SI. Before joining SI in August 2020, he worked for CBS Sports, NFL Network and SiriusXM. He also contributes to Westwood One Radio. Fabiano was the first fantasy analyst to appear on one of the four major TV networks and is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame.
Follow Michael_Fabiano